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DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University has once again earned accolades for its nursing program – this time earning a ranking as one of the country’s top nursing schools and in the top 20 schools in the New England region.

The Nursing Schools Almanac recently completed an inaugural ranking of U.S. nursing schools after collecting data on more than 3,000 institutions nationwide. WCSU’s nursing program was ranked 20 of nearly 150 schools in the New England region.

The WCSU Department of Nursing graduates 40 to 50 students annually from its pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. WCSU nursing students have achieved a NCLEX pass rate that has ranged from 94 to 100 percent every year over the past six years. The school’s RN-to-BSN program is offered at two satellite locations: Naugatuck Valley Community College and Norwalk Community College. The department also has Master of Science in Nursing programs for certification as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (CNS), both of which are designed for part-time study with evening courses. WCSU also has a collaborative doctoral program in nursing education.

“Health care facilities in Connecticut seek out our graduates because they are well prepared to enter the job market as graduate nurses,” said Dr. Joan Palladino, professor and current department chair of the WCSU Department of Nursing. “We have grown in number while maintaining smaller class sizes, which helps students develop closer relationships with faculty. Our faculty are doctorally prepared and stay current clinically. The faculty and the curriculum provide the strong educational base that results in NCLEX success.”

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.